Lesson 2 Inflammation and Healing

abscess

an inflamed area with a pocket of infection typically containing pus.

acute phase reactants

during inflammation, plasma proteins that increase or decrease in concentration by at least 25%. Proteins are either positive or negative acute phase reactants.

adhesions

fibrous bands that form between tissues and organs (usually from surgery).

angiogenesis

process in which a new blood vessel is formed.

anorexia

loss of appetite

Basophils

Leukocytes (WBCs) that are produced in the bone marrow that travel through the blood stream and contain granules of histamine and heparin; responsible for the inflammatory response.

B Lymphocytes

a type of white blood cell, originates and matures in bone marrow, that is responsible for generating antibodies against specific foreign antigens.

bradykinin

a chemical (peptide) released during the inflammatory process that causes vasodilation, increased capillary permeability, induce WBC chemotaxis, and trigger nociceptors

burn

damage to your skin caused by exposing your body to either extreme heat, fire, or chemicals; usually classified as third, second, or first degree.

chemical mediators

any chemicalmessenger that acts on blood vessels, inflammatory cells or other cells to contribute to an inflammatory response.

chemotaxis

the movement of an organism in response to a chemical stimulus (either toward = positive chemotaxis or away from = negative chemotaxis)

contracture

permanent shortening of a muscle or joint, when elastic tissue is replaced by non elastic tissue which disallows normal movement and sometimes all movement.

Cytotoxic T Lymphocyte

type of T cell that kills cancer cells, bacteria, or virus by causing cell lysis or by inducing apoptosis.

diapedesis

the movement of Leukocytes through capillary walls towards damaged tissue site or infection

edema

a build up of fluid in the tissues or organs. Usually occurs in the lower half of the body.

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR)

blood test that tests the rate at which RBCs settle to the bottom of a test tube containing a blood sample (a fast ESR indicates inflammation)

Eosinophil

a type of white blood cell and component of the immune system responsible for combating multicellular parasites/infections MH

exudate

fluid drainage, often found from that of a wound bed or vessels; contains proteins and cell contents

Fibroblasts

cells that produce extracellular matrix and collagen; that are activated during infection or inflammation, helps with wound healing

first-degree burn

a superficial burn that only affects the first layer of the skin. Characterized by redness of the epidermis and pain.

glucocorticoids

an endogenous hormone and an anti-inflammatory drug that decreases capillary permeability, the number of white blood cells, the number of mast cells and the release of histamine, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. Glucocorticoids are an immunosuppressant and are catabolic stimulating protein to be broken down into glucose in a process known as gluconeogenesis.

granuloma

a mass-like structure. It is a collection of immune cells and debris that results from chronic inflammation, infection or the presence of a foreign substance

Helper T Lymphocyte

a type of T cell. Stimulates the activation and function of T and B cells.

hematopoiesis

the process by which blood cells are created in the body

histamine

vasoactive chemical involved in localized inflammation and itching due to immune responses. Can be released by mast cells and basophils in response to allergens during the allergy season hence we take antihistamines (which block histamine receptors on blood vessels and on nerves).

inflammation

the body's nonspecific reaction to tissue damage; capillaries become more permeable causing edema (swelling), arteries dilate allowing more blood to reach the damage causing rubor (redness) and calor (warmth), increased pressure on the surrounding area and chemicals are released stimulate nociceptors to cause pain, and there is often a loss of function due to the pain and swelling.

interferons

chemicals that coordinate white blood cells and send messages that stimulate defense mechanisms for other cells (eg. production of anti-viral proteins), slowing down a viral replication in an infection

isoenzyme

enzymes in which the amino acid sequence is varied but the same chemical reaction occurs; usually in regulating metabolism.

leukocytosis

an elevated white blood cell count above 11.0x109/L, often due to inflammation or infection.

Macrophage

can be fixed (within a tissue) or free (circulating in blood stream) and is a type of WBC phagocyte; matures from a monocyte. It works to engulf and remove any pathogens, cells or foreign material that are unneeded in the body.

malaise

the overall feeling of discomfort, illness, or uneasiness, the exact cause is usually not easily identifiable.

Mast cells

found in connective tissue, releases substances such as histamine and heparin during injury.

Memory B Lymphocyte

an immune system cell which was made from B lymphocytes when a pathogen enters the body. The memory cell remembers the pathogen for future infections and can act quicker than when first infected.

Memory T Lymphocyte

antigen-specific T cells that remain after infection has been eliminated and can be reactivated if that antigen is encountered again.

Monocytes

type of WBC that attack microorganisms at the site of an infection

net hydrostatic pressure

the force that is generated by the pressure of fluid on the capillary walls due to interstitial fluid or blood plasma.

Natural Killer (NK) Cells

a type of lymphocyte that works to destroy tumors and cells that have been infected by viruses; creates perforin portals in abnormal and foreign cells.

Neutrophils

the most abundant type of white blood cell in the human body that functions to circulate blood and tissue in order to phagocytose (destroy) bacteria, other foreign objects, and cellular debris.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)

Are OTC (over-the-counter) drugs that reduce fever, pain, inflammation, and blood clot formation (antithrombosis agent) by reducing the production of prostaglandins

opportunistic organisms

under normal circumstances these organisms would not cause an infection, but when the immune system is compromised they are now able to cause infection due to the weaker defences.

osteoporosis

a bone disease where bone mass and bone density decreases causing a higher risk of fractures and breaks.

phagocytosis

a nonspecific defense in which macrophages and neutrophils engulf and destroy bacteria or other foreign/ dead material.

prostaglandins

vasoactive chemicals secreted by mast cells and basophils that cause increased capillary permeability, vasodilation, attract neutrophils, stimulate pain receptors, and cause fever.

purulent

containing or consisting of pus

pyrexia

fever; a naturally occurring immune response that increases body temperature to impair the growth of pathogenic organisms and increase WBC activity.

pyrogens

a fever inducing agent; a substance that when released or introduced into the bloodstream travels to the hypothalamus (thermoregulatory center) and produces a fever by resetting the body's thermostat.

regeneration

when tissue is damaged, it's the healing process that occurs where the cells are still able to undergo mitosis to replace dead cells with functional cells.

resolution (e.g. under the microscope)

the ability to see multiple structures separately rather than one blurred structure.

resolution (of damaged tissue)

the cells don't die and are able to recover.

Reye's syndrome

a disease (rare and usually in children) that causes liver and brain damage. Associated with taking aspirin during viral infection.

second-degree burn

a partial thickness burn involving the epidermis and part of the dermis. The site will be painful and appear red and blistered.

serous

fluid that is thin or watery; resembling serum.

specific immune response

this type of immune response is carried out by T and B-lymphocytes in response to specific foreign antigens. Once they are activated by antigen-presenting cells, cytotoxic T-cells and plasma cells mount a defense against anything displaying that antigen while memory cells are produced to prepare for future attacks.

stenosis

narrowing of a body passage

suppuration

the process of forming of and discharging pus from a sore or a wound

third-degree burn

a full thickness burn that can reach the subcutaneous tissue. Very painful and has blisters. Also may appear charred or white.

Suppressor T Lymphocyte

Inhibit activation and function of B cells and Cytotoxic and Helper T cells to modulate the immune system and calm everything down (turn off immune response).

ulcer

an open sore on an internal or external surface of the body caused by a break in skin or GI mucosa due to persistent irritant, damage, or ischemia.

vasodilation

dilation of blood vessels, which if there is systemic vasodilation will decrease blood pressure. Please note local vasodilation does not have an effect on the body's blood pressure.